Many times folks who disagree with our Biblical teachings on a subject
will say, "That is your interpretation." Most of the time they will not
give one Scripture to back up their disagreement. Sometimes they will give
only one verse or part of a verse in trying to defend their teachings. Most
cults and isms are built around one verse isolated from the plain teaching
of the Scriptures rightly divided.

2 Timothy 2:15 states,"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth."

2 Peter 1:19-21: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Look at the statement in verse 20: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy
of the scripture is of any private interpretation." That
simply means that one cannot take a single verse of Scripture and build
a doctrinal view while ignoring other Scriptures that deal with the subject.

"When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek not another
sense."

While it is true that "private interpretations" of the Bible
result in different denominational views, it must be admitted that there
is only one correct interpretation of a Scripture. Many applications
may be made without doing damage to the correct interpretation.

Look up and read 1 Cor. 2:9-14 and notice "the deep things of God"
are only known by those who have the Spirit of God. "Which things
also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." We cannot
take a verse of Scripture and teach a doctrine apart from the other verses
on the subject. Next week I will show some examples of how this is done
and how it has resulted in a vast array of denominations.

Part 2

In Part 1, I pointed to 2 Tim. which speaks of "rightly dividing
the Word of truth" and 1 Cor. 2:2-14 which speaks of "comparing
Spiritual things with Spiritual."

An incorrect division or comparison of Scriptures will always result in
error. This has resulted in a broad spectrum of denominations, including
all cults.

The Jehovah Witness actually got its start from Charles Taze Russell and
his rejection of the doctrine of eternal torment, Hell. This began his lifelong
denunciation of and attack on "organized religion." of course, the Jehovah
Witness reject most all of the cardinal doctrines of the Bible including
the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the physical Resurrection and Return of
Christ, the reality of Hell, the eternal existence of the soul and the validity
of the infinite Atonement to name a few. They use Isa. 43:10-11 as a foundation,
claiming they are the witnesses of Jehovah and denying the Trinity. Fact
is, comparing Scripture with Scripture, we find they are wrong on both subjects.
They are not the Witnesses of Jehovah. According to verse 1 the Jews are
being spoken to. These two verses do not teach against the Trinity. In fact,
they strengthen the teaching. Since Christ is the only Saviour, then He
is God! (They deny this.) They make the same error in Rev 7:4-8 and 14:1-3
by teaching that only 144,000 enter the Kingdom. Please notice these are
all male, virgin, Jews and are definitely not the present day Jehovah's
Witness. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth would clear that up.

Teaching on Baptismal Regeneration: There are some few denominations that
teach that one must be baptized to be saved. They all point to Mark 16:16,
Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:18-21 as proof texts. When compared to all other
Scriptures which give the plan of salvation, we find baptism omitted. It
should be noticed that in each of the 3 examples given above we have an
answer to the false teaching:

Mark 16:16 "but he that believeth not shall be damned."
The emphasis is on believing, not baptism.

Acts 2:38 Remission of sins does not come from baptism but from repentance.
(This can be proven with other scriptures dealing with remission.)

1 Peter 3:21 baptism is, "not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." It
is a private interpretation of Scripture to ignore all other Scriptures
which teach Salvation by Grace through Faith alone.

To be continued with private interpretations of Gifts and Losing Salvation.

Part 3

There is much confusion today brought about by the diversity of Charismatic
interpretations which are built on private interpretations. An example
of this is seen in the private interpretation of Acts 2:11-16 which is
used to justify "holy laughter" in the present day charismatic movement.
Kenneth Hagin was preaching in this text (I saw on video) and while he
was preaching people began to slither out of their chairs like drunkards,
with mouths drawn and words slurred. The "holy laughter" phenomena is
misinterpreted from this private interpretation of Scripture.

Not all Charismatics believe one must speak in tongues to be saved. There
are some that teach that you must speak in tongues, which they claim is
the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is a private interpretation
of the Scripture. For example, tongues disappeared for about 1500 years.
Did the believers of that space of time not receive the Baptism of the
Spirit? If you read 1 Cor. chapters 12,13 and 14 you will see that not
everyone had the same gifts. In fact, verse 4 of chapter 12 states, "Now
there are diversities of gifts." Verse 5 states, "And there
are differences of administrations" and verse 6 states, "And
there are diversities of operations." If you look at verses 8-10
you will see "to one is given", "to another",
"to another", "to another", "to another",
"to another", "to another", and finally the
7th time, "to another." If you compare this with verses
11-31 you will see that not everyone had all the gifts and that it is
the Holy Spirit who gives them. In fact, looking at verses 28-31 it is
easy to see that not all are Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of
miracles, healers, and (notice) not all speak with tongues or interpret
tongues. Chapter 13 follows, teaching that the sign gifts will cease with
the completed Word of God. Verse 8 tells us that prophecies, tongues and
knowledge will all cease, while "Charity never faileth."
It is a private interpretation to teach that all speak with tongues. The
most positive thing said about tongues is in 14:39; "and forbid
not to speak with tongues." This statement was valid for the Corinthians
at that time because the Word of God was not completed. However, upon
its completion, tongues have ceased (Ch. 13:8). A good example of this
violation is found in Mark 16:17-18. How can one practice tongues and
healing and leave out snake handling and drinking poison?

Part 4

Below are a few Scriptures used by some to prove one can lose salvation.

John 15:6 Why would Jesus teach in this one verse that a saved person
would be cast, wither, gathered and burned when He has taught them in
3:14-18, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:37, 40, 47; 10:27-30; 11:25; 17:2-3 that believers
are given eternal life?

Romans 11:19-23 This passage is not teaching on loss of Salvation. Paul
is speaking of the place of the Jews and Gentiles in this dispensation.
God turned from the Nation of Israel temporarily, and to the Gentiles.
The day will come (in fact, now is) when God will turn again to the Jews.
Verses 24-26 plainly shows this. This passage does not teach loss of Salvation.

2 Peter 2:20-22 These three verses are often used to teach one can lose
Salvation, and yet it says nothing about one losing Salvation. If you
read the whole chapter you will see the ones addressed are false teachers
who "privily bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that
bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction." Look
at verses 12-14 which definitely is not a description of one who lost
his Salvation. It is obvious that these people had reformation without
regeneration. Notice verse 13: "sporting themselves with their own
deceivings while they feast with you." Verse 15, "Which
have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray." Verse 17, "Wells
without water." Verse 20 does not say they were saved. They escaped
the pollutions and were again entangled. These people were not sheep (Saved).
They are called "dog" and "sow" in verse 22 which are hardly words used
of one who is saved. It is referring to those who were never saved, though
saying they were. The same truth is taught in Titus 1:16, "They
profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." The pigs
and dogs were still pigs and dogs at heart and though they changed for
a while, they returned to the old life, proving they were never saved.
They didn't lose it. They never had it!

I have not tried to deal with all the Scriptures used to teach one can
lose Salvation. Time and space will not allow. Hebrews 6:4-9 teaches that
if a person could lose their Salvation, they could never be saved again.
See verse 6 and notice: "If they shall fall away, to renew them
again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put Him to an open shame." To renew them again is
an impossibility. Verse 9 states, "But, beloved, we are persuaded
better things of you, and things that accompany Salvation, though we thus
speak." No doctrine can stand on one or more verses in opposition
to the clear and plain teaching of the whole body of Truth. Scripture
must be compared with Scripture and Truth must be rightly divided in order
to come to a proper Biblical position.